Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Major J. J. Muir, 1st, late 49th, Madras Native Infantry, who died while serving with the Madras Staff Corps at Bangalore in 1871

Indian General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Ensn. J. J. Muir. 49th. Regt. M.N.I.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lt. J. J. Muir, 1st. Madras N. I.) contact marks, very fine (2) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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Joseph Johnstone Muir was born in 1834 at Girvan, Ayrshire, the eldest son of Revd. John Muir, Minister of Kirkmabreck, and received a classical and mathematical education at Douglas Academy and the Edinburgh Military Academy. He became a Cadet of the H.E.I.C. in 1849, was appointed Ensign in the 49th Madras Native Infantry in June 1851. He saw active service in the Pegu operations of 1852-53 during the Second Burmese War, where he served in the Martaban Column under General Steel K.C.B., being present at the operations against and occupation of Tonghoo. He was advanced to Lieutenant in November 1856.

In the India Mutiny he served with the 1st Madras Native Infantry (Madras Rifles) against the mutineers in Bengal. He was present at the defence of Azimghur against Kooer Sing’s force in 1858, and joined in the pursuit of that chieftain with the force Brigadier Douglas in April 1858. Present in the subsequent actions of Azimghur and Ghoossee, and at the attack on the rebels in the Jugdespore Jungle 4th June 1858.

Muir died, serving in the rank of Major, in Bangalore in December 1871. A Notice of Death appeared in the Ardrossan Herald in February 1872 and an obituary in The Broad Arrow the same month, which stated, amongst other details about his career, that he was:
‘..at one time adjutant of his corps, and as such was second to none in knowledge of work and professional zeal. Since the breaking up of his own regiment, he had done duty with various capacities with different corps, the last appointment he held being that of officiating wing officer of the 27th N.I. He was very popular with his brother officers in Bangalore, by whom his loss is much deplored.’

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